Somatic Therapy
What Is Somatic Therapy?
“Somatic”—stemming from the Greek word for body—describes physical sensations that are closely related to one’s mental and emotional state. From a therapeutic perspective, a somatic approach helps people understand the mind-body connection and how to escape the body’s traumatic “fight, flight, or freeze” response. For this reason, somatic therapies are particularly beneficial for those experiencing the lingering mental, emotional, and physiological effects of trauma.
What Is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a form of somatic psychotherapy that was developed by Dr. Peter Levine in the 1970s. Levine studied animals in the wild to determine how they held onto stress and trauma in the body when a threat was perceived. He realized that once the body released stress and trauma, these animals could return to their normal state.
However, when Levine began applying this same concept to human subjects, he noticed that humans tended to bypass the physical release of trauma by forcing themselves to “keep it together” through challenging or even threatening experiences. Though this response helped to reinforce a sense of safety in the moment, the likelihood of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) tended to increase if the body could not fully process and release the trauma. Levine developed Somatic Experiencing as a way to help his clients rewire the nervous system so that their bodies no longer constantly perceive threats.
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Who Can Benefit From A Somatic Approach?
Today, this approach is used to help treat a range of mental health concerns, including:
PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Physical symptoms like chronic pain and digestive issues
Chronic stress and feelings of overwhelm
Challenges with emotional regulation
By helping the body complete its trauma response, somatic therapy actually leads to a reduction in disruptive symptoms and an improvement in overall wellbeing.
What To Expect In Treatment Sessions Using SE And Other Forms Of Somatic Therapy
Oftentimes—especially for those of us who have been expected to rise above and overcome life hurdles—the mind becomes disconnected from the body out of a need for self-preservation. The goal of Somatic Experiencing and other forms of somatic therapy is to help us cultivate a lasting sense of safety in our bodies.
As a somatic therapist, I help clients process and escape the cycle of trauma by:
Building resources – clients build the foundation for therapy by learning about the mind-body connection, trauma’s impact on the nervous system, and emotional regulation skills that will help to fully process and overcome the body’s fight, flight, or freeze stress response.
Tracking sensations – clients are taught how to become aware and pay attention to bodily sensations, offering meaningful insight into the relationship between their experiences and their body’s physical response.
Pendulation – once skills are in place and awareness has been created, I guide clients in moving between states of tension and relaxation to help gradually reduce the intensity of trauma-related symptoms without becoming overwhelmed.
Titration – traumatic memories are then reprocessed in small, manageable increments to prevent re-traumatization.
Discharge – clients are assisted in releasing stored trauma through gentle, safe physical exercises and activities.
Once this process is completed, clients are likely to experience a drastic reduction in symptoms alongside an increased awareness of how stressors impact the mind and body.
How Does Somatic Therapy Help Where Other Approaches Fall Short?
Conventional talk therapy can be beneficial for verbally processing emotions and experiences, but many traditional approaches do not take into consideration how much the body holds onto when issues of stress, overwhelm, and trauma are present. SE and other similar therapies offer deeper insights into emotional states by looking at the body’s role in healing.
Furthermore, most forms of somatic therapy are relatively nonverbal in their approach, meaning that clients will not have to recount details of their trauma at length in treatment. This can be particularly beneficial for clients who find it difficult to articulate their feelings or those who worry about being triggered or re-traumatized in counseling. For this reason, SE and other somatic approaches are often considered gentler and less invasive than conventional talk therapy.
Is Somatic Therapy Right For You?
As a somatic therapist, I am invested in helping my clients foster a deeper, more aware connection between their minds and bodies. By learning to understand and regulate their stress response on a physiological level, they can experience healing and restoration from the inside out.
For more information about if Somatic Experiencing can help you or to start therapy with me, contact me for further details about my approach as a practitioner.
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